Three Visitors

Genesis 18:1-15

Meeting Purpose

Review Genesis and discuss Abraham's story, focusing on God's promise of Isaac's birth.

Key Takeaways

- God personally engages with humanity, visiting Abraham in a Theophany (visible manifestation of God)

- Abraham's generous hospitality reflects cultural importance and biblical values

- Sarah's laughter at God's promise highlights human doubt, but God reaffirms His unlimited power

- The narrative emphasizes God's relational nature and ability to do the impossible

Topics

Abraham's Journey and God's Covenant

- Abram (later Abraham) left Ur of the Chaldeans at age 75

- God's promise: bless those who bless Abraham, curse those who curse him

- Covenant included numerous descendants and land inheritance

- Abraham's faith credited as righteousness

- Name change: Abram ("exalted father") to Abraham ("father of many nations")

The Visitors at Mamre (Genesis 18:1-8)

- Three visitors appear to Abraham (likely God and two angels)

- Abraham's immediate hospitality: bowed, offered water, prepared meal

- Demonstrates Middle Eastern cultural importance of welcoming strangers

- Abraham not rebuked for bowing, unlike other biblical instances

Promise of Isaac's Birth (Genesis 18:9-15)

- Visitors announce Sarah will have a son within a year

- Sarah laughs in disbelief due to her old age

- God challenges Sarah's doubt: "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"

- Parallels other miraculous conceptions in Scripture (e.g., Elizabeth, Mary)

Reflections on Faith and Doubt

- Participants related to Sarah's doubt in personal experiences

- Discussion on laughing at seemingly impossible situations

- Importance of recognizing God's ability to do the impossible

Prayer and Spiritual Growth

- ACT prayer method discussed: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication

- Importance of not skipping straight to requests in prayer

- Using Psalm 23 and the Lord's Prayer as frameworks for entering God's presence

Next Steps

- Continue study of Genesis, focusing on Abraham's intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah next week

- Reflect on personal instances of doubt and how to strengthen faith

- Practice incorporating all elements of the ACT prayer method in personal prayer life